BetOnline.ag is Flushdraw’s newest official online poker provider. Get the best in poker, casino and sports betting TODAY — only at BetOnline.ag!
>> Enjoy a HUGE 100% bonus up to $1,000 in the poker room.
>> You can also choose a bonuses up to $1000 in their sportsbook (FREE BETS!).
>> Other features include a DOZEN+ crypto-deposit methods and CASHOUTS within 24 to 48 hours.
> WORLD-CLASS software on desktop and an even BETTER mobile site.
IF YOU SEE THE ABOVE ^^ BETONLINE.AG SIGNUP LINKS ON YOUR STATE’S PAGE, PLEASE KNOW IT IS 100% LEGAL TO SIGN UP & PLAY!
______________________________________________________
Kansas is like most states (for poker players).
Some things are okay. Other things… eh… not so much.
The key is to know which is which. Not knowing some of the fine print of the current laws in place can have you facing misdemeanor charges, prison showers and other hefty fines.
But if understand your legal poker options in Kansas then you can avoid all the aformentioned bad stuff and just focus on having fun playing poker.
You’ll find more details below.
Social Gaming Laws Regarding Poker in Kansas
Kansas is yet another state without laws about social gaming.
So that leaves you to decipher statutes like these:
Section 21-4303 Making a bet; or entering or remaining in a gambling place with intent to make a bet, to participate in a lottery, or to play a gambling device.
As for a bet, that’s defined as:
Section 21-4302(a) A bargain in which the parties agree that, dependent upon chance, one stands to win or lose something of value specified in the agreement
Most states say that social gaming is ambiguous.
And I would almost agree.
Except that when most states say nothing, a good rule of thumb is to resort to their more general laws.
In this case poker is considered gambling/betting. Therefore it’s illegal and a class B misdemeanor.
But, like I say on all our state pages – chances are you can get away with a home game if you keep it quiet and don’t make a public spectacle out of it. You hardly ever hear of these smaller games being broken up by the police unless word gets around about how big the game is or if a ton of money might be involved.
Just know that it’s not on the up-and-up, but depending on your moral compass it really shouldn’t matter all that much.
Online Poker is Illegal in Kansas
Is online poker legal in Kansas?
I think the Kansas Attorney General answered this question best:
“placing, receiving or forwarding a bet and participating in or conducting a lottery on the Internet violates Kansas criminal gambling statutes. If a bet is placed or a lottery is engaged in from a computer located in Kansas any person or entity participating in such crime may be prosecuted in this state”. – Kansas Attorney General [1]
The simple answer – no.
And don’t expect things to get any better, either.
Back in 2013 online poker was addressed in House Bill 2055. The premise behind the bill was to expand brick and mortar gaming in the state.
And it had a clause.
The clause was online gambling had to be banned. If someone broke the law they would be charged with a misdemeanor and would face 6 months in prison and a $100,000 fine.
All in the name of protecting the brick and mortar casinos in the state. Naturally, right?
The bill was voted down 24 to 15 – not a landslide. Analysts believe we may see a similar bill and/or clause in the future.
Kansas Congressman Doing Their Best to Keep Ban on iGaming
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt was one of fifteen that requested an expansion of the 1961 Wire Act to include banning all forms of online gambling.
This request was apart of the campaign run by Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson and his cause, the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling.
So… not only should you assume online poker is illegal here.
You should also assume it will be illegal for years to come.
Playing Poker at a Live Casino
Live poker is an option in Kansas. But only in licensed and regulated casinos.
Some of your casino options include:
- Harrah’s North Kansas City
- Prairie Band Casino & Resort
- Isle of Capri Casino Kansas City
- Hollywood Casino at Kansas Speedway
There are plenty more. Just Google them.
As far as games, you’ll have plenty of choices. You can play Texas Holdem, Omaha, Stud and more. You can also find bad beat jackpots, cash games and guaranteed tournaments running daily.
Outside of poker you can of course play other games like slots, blackjack, craps, baccarat, roulette, video poker or progressives.
You have no shortage of gaming options.
And better yet – there’s so many casinos in this (small) state that no one should have to travel far to get to one.
Future of Online Poker in Kansas
Experts think that 2018-2019 is when we’ll see a change in legislation. Although being that this state is in the Bible Belt area (aka the Midwest) it could be a bit longer before state representatives break their stance on online gambling.
There have already been several attempts to block or ban online gambling. And I didn’t come across any attempts to regulate it – so that makes the prospects of legal iGaming look somewhat dim.
And when you consider that the state takes in $13 million each year from their casinos, you have to wonder if they can even see the forest for the trees.
Do they see that they can make more money by legalizing online gambling to some capacity?
So you have all that.
Then you consider how small a state they are, which would make striking instrastate poker deals difficult – difficult, not impossible.
All in all, it’s hard not to be pessimistic about online poker being legalized in Kansas in the near future.
Sources:
